"THE ONLY INFALLIBLE RULE WE KNOW IS, THAT THE MAN WHO IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT BEING A GENTLEMAN NEVER IS ONE": SURTEES' ASK MAMA, WITH 12 HAND-COLORED ENGRAVINGS BY JOHN LEECH, HANDSOMELY BOUND BY WEITZ-COLEMAN

SURTEES, Robert Smith. "Ask Mama;" or, The Richest Commoner in England. London: Bradbury, Agnew, circa 1872. Octavo, 20th-century red calf, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, raised bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt; original cloth bound in. $800.

Later edition of this classic sporting book, with hand-colored frontispiece and 12 hand-colored steel-engraved plates by John Leech, handsomely bound by Weitz-Coleman.

Unlike Surtees earlier novels focusing entirely on sporting, Ask Mama integrates the popular sporting elements into a narrative about provincial life. Philip Larkin was among the book's fans and once wrote in a letter: "I am reading Ask Mamma by Surtees… Despite my hatred of blood sports, I find him highly amusing (and he always lets the hares escape, have you noticed?)." The first edition was published in 1858. This edition was published by Bradbury, Agnew, established in 1872.

Frontispiece expeertly reattached, scattered soiling to interior, binding fine. A near-fine copy.